Florida lawmaker looks to ban government assistance being used at strip joints

Florida lawmakers want to ban taxpayer-funded public assistance dollars from being dropped on lap dances, gambling and booze.

State Rep. Jimmie Smith, a Republican who is spearheading the effort, told Fox News and Friends on Friday that some recipients of government assistance in the Sunshine State are using their electronic benefits (EBT) cards at strip joints, casinos and liquor stores when they should be used to put a roof over the heads or feeding their children.

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“I am very pro-business, but I am just not for spending someone else’s money for you to enjoy alcoholic beverage or to enjoy adult entertainment,” Mr. Smith said.

The proposal follows news reports last year that showed that hundreds of withdrawals made on EBT cards, which act like a debit card, were related to beer and liquor purchases, and thousands spending at casinos.

The reports showed that there is limited government oversight on how the money is being spent.